CHICAGO — The federal government is suing Citgo Petroleum Corporation for allegedly withdrawing a job offer to an applicant after learning of his vision impairment.
In a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency alleges Citgo offered an applicant, Dale Hudson, a job at its Lemont, Illinois, crude oil refinery and when the company became aware of the applicant's permanent vision loss in one eye, the job offer was withdrawn even though he was qualified and experienced.
The EEOC further alleges Citgo improperly imposed eligibility criteria not related or consistent with the business necessity in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
"The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants with disabilities or perceived disabilities based on the employer's unfounded fears that a person with an impairment cannot perform the essential functions of the job," EEOC Chicago District Office regional attorney Greg Gochanour said in a statement. "It is regrettable that instead of doing an individualized assessment of whether Mr. Hudson could perform the job with or without reasonable accommodations, Citgo withdrew the offer and assumed without further investigation whether a person with monocular vision could not perform the job."
The EEOC seeks an injunction against Citgo to prohibit future disability discrimination as well as back pay, front pay and compensatory and punitive damages.